I don`t know how to say my problem without making it sound like a melodramatic diary entry, but i really don`t know where else to go, I need to speak to someone. I have never ever composed anything before, (I have been playing for two years, and am grade 5 ABRSM) And tonight I tried it, I tried to compose a tiny little something, not intended to be a masterpiece, but just a short little tune no chords or anything, just a little something to introduce me to the compostion process. And I can now class myself as officially crap at music, it was terrible, I didn`t manage to get anything at all, just four notes thats it. FOUR NOTES, and even they sounded ridiculous together, and now i`m so upset because its just confirmed everything that i`ve been thinking all along, that i`m really not talented at music at all. I am aware that it was my first try, but really, most people do better than i did. I would really love to be a musician, nothing would make me happier but i really do hate myself at the moment, because i can never be what i wanted to be, and that hurts. It hurts so much, that all i want to do is sleep forever because when i`m asleep i don`t know. Does anyone have any help that they can give me, any advice on composing, any encouragement, pointers on where to start, what to do. I would really appreciate it as nobody else seems to understand, thank you
Rebecca xXxXx

Hi Rebecca!
Please dont feel so low about not being able to compose anything!!!

At least you are grade 5 now and i think you can compose a short tune...i havent really composed anything meself because i always end up with weird sounds or notes that dont fit together!

im not sure about how to compose but what about starting with at least 4 bars?? 4/4 should be a time signature to start with.
for the notes, what key do you want ure tune to be in? C major? D major? Bb Major? A minor?

If we take D major for example, im sure you will know that there is a C# and a F#. compose using the notes in the D major scale..+ a variety of diff types of notes...im sure you can create a simple tune rightaway!!

email me if you want anymore help!

SaRa
xxx

Just because you haven`t succeded in composing, it doesn`t mean that you`re not a wonderful musician. I can`t compose for anything, but I can still play the flute. Playing is about being able to put yourself into the notes someone else has written, while composing is creating something that expresses. You don`t need to knit to look lovely in a scarf, but some people won`t wear a scarf for anything.


Good luck,
Gumdrop

Don`t get discouraged- keep trying. I never had any trouble starting off composing, but when I first started playing the clarinet, I couldn`t even get a sound out of it for the first couple of days, and now I`m playing advanced repertoire like the Spohr concerti.
If you listen to a lot of music it will help, and arranging pieces might help too.

Also, melodies tend to sound logical if they move in 2nds, 3rds or 4ths, and it helps if you use elements of scales and arpeggios in them as well. You can extend melodies by using a sequence, which is where you repeat the same thing over a few times, getting higher or lower each time. If I think of any more tricks like that I`ll tell you.

Hi, I am new to this site and decided to check out your discussion forum. As I was doing this, I could not help but notice your post. My suggestion is to relax and experiment with riffs and alternating scales that come off the top of your head. Listen closely to the riffs and scales that you produce, and if it is something that you like, write it down right away. Composing is a time honoured practice that takes patience. Remember Vivaldi or Mozart probably didn`t churn out the most incredible pieces right of the bat. Take your time, be patient with yourself and it will come to you.

My Goodness- Though this is not usually a support forum, I think most or some of us here can understand what this chic is going thru, so can we give her some support on this one-off appeal for comfort guys?

Bek- No wonder you are stressing out, or composing nothing fantastic- listen to yourself! You can`t sit down and try to compose something. You need to let it come- and don`t think! Just play. If nothing comes, don`t worry- it doesn`t mean that you are untalented or not original or like you can`t create your own. Nothing has to- music is freedom- so stop chaining yourself up. The very fact that you want to produce something creative is probably the very reason that you aren`t. And as proof, the fact that you have continued playing for so long states that music and playing is a part of you- regardless of whether you can produce compositions. Don`t try to sit down and compose something, just play around, a few notes or a couple of minutes, improvise of a single chord, mess up, do stupid things and have fun-- don`t think "I want to write something", think "This could be interesting"

Also, I reckon u should be prepared to think outside the square- like if you are trying to compose certain types of music, you are restraining yourself. So whatever comes naturally is what is right 4 u-- besides- Einstein failed maths at school, so who cares if someone can`t write jazz music- they might be brilliant at reggae and not even know it.

I`m no phsycologist or composing expert-- i`m just another person, and I along with probably everyone else who`s ever wanted anything of their own written on paper as a musical accomplishment and testomony to their capabilities understand what you are going through. Don`t worry, - it`ll come. If it doesn`t- as long as you feel like music is a part of you in your heart, it doesn`t truely matter whether you have something that you can label as "MINE". After all, when you are really honest with yourself, why do you want a composition so bad? Do u want it or need it?
To prove to yourself that you are capable of creating your own, instead of simply learning a playing (which is something to be proud of anyway). To prove to others? Why prove yourself anyway- no one deserves to feel like they need some sort of creation to prove their worth or talent. If you learn to believe in urself, or love what you`ve already got, then you probably won`t feel like u need to write something in the firstplace.

Thank-you so much for youe support, I really do appreciate it. I`ve turned my attention to my theory exam, though i`m not feeling any better at all, in fact i think i`m quite sure i hate myself, my friends are getting a bit fed up of me being mserable for the past few weeks, but like i said, they tend not to understand how music affects every part of my life. Perhaps after I`ve pulled myself through my theory exam, I`ll know a little more, and be able to do a little more. Anyway, thanks again, perhaps i just have to let this painful time run its course.
Becky xXxXx